How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
Your GP can refer you for an NHS ADHD assessment. If the waiting time is very long, consider asking your GP to make use of the law that gives patients the right to choose their healthcare providers called Right to Choose.
A psychiatrist will conduct a structured meeting to determine your symptoms and impacts on different aspects of your life. They may ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are covered by health insurance, the cost of a psychiatrist's visit will be covered. If you're not sure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, you can contact your insurance provider to determine the status. You can also request your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance then you can go through an individual provider. Make sure the Psychiatrist is certified and has experience working with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived ideas about what a person suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to obtain a diagnosis. Many medical professionals do not have the necessary expertise or training to recognize adult ADHD. You'll need to do some research to find an adult ADHD specialist who can determine your symptoms and accurately diagnose you.
It is important to develop an established relationship of trust with your psychiatrist once you've discovered one. This is especially important when you plan to start taking medication to treat your ADHD. If you're not comfortable with your psychiatrist, think about searching for a different one. It is important to be comfortable with your doctor but you should not settle for anything less.
Your GP may refer you to a specialist in adult ADHD for a medical evaluation. The typical assessment includes a questionnaire as well as a discussion with the psychologist on how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in different social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine if you meet the criteria for an adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England You have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. The NHS provides a list of providers, and you are able to make use of your right to Choose to select the provider that is most convenient for you. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults, which can reduce the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is well-aware of ADHD they may be happy to refer you for an NHS diagnosis. In the UK this will involve an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurse) which will comprise questionnaires on ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history, and your family mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be conducted as well as the interview. This will give you a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses, which includes any comorbidities, which could be affecting your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can help you by writing a note informing you that he wants to refer you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out the template and present it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth switching your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP will agree to the referral then there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is vital since it will focus on your ADHD symptoms and how they affect your life at present. You'll be asked to provide examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been functioning in various areas of your life.
After a diagnosis is made your doctor will offer you treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioural interventions as well as prescription drugs. You will be given advice on how to manage your ADHD and will be provided with an evaluation with recommendations for continued care. If you're a student at a university Your doctor may suggest an arrangement of shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
Unfortunately there are adult adhd diagnosis uk of professionals in the UK from GPs to psychologists and nurses who are not knowledgeable about ADHD. This makes finding a diagnosis and gaining access to treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't have ADHD because you're not hyperactive, or that adults don't get treated and that children grow out of it. It can be difficult to find a professional that will listen and understand your condition.
Right to pick
If you live in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred to an ADHD assessment by an outside party, you have the right to choose which provider. This is known as the "Right to Choice". The only requirement is that the chosen provider is registered under an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended to know the waiting times for the provider you prefer before you contact them. You can find out more information by calling the provider directly or asking your GP.
It is important to remember that general practitioners and so are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems which includes adult ADHD. You may have to convince your GP to recommend you to a specialist to receive an ADHD assessment. If you're unable to do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can print and download to hand to your GP. The letter includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make this diagnosis.
Ask your GP what their current waiting time is for an ADHD assessment. If they are too high you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different provider.
You will be asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you go to get your ADHD evaluated. The interview will usually be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will center on your history of ADHD and how it affected your life. It will also examine your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview ahead of time and have a family member present for support.
Ask your GP about the options for medication. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants, but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant medications which can help manage ADHD symptoms. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine, and atomoxetine (Strateva). Additionally, you can also try cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for adults with ADHD.
Private Assessment
If you're not satisfied waiting for the NHS to refer you or if you are concerned your GP might have preconceived notions about what ADHD is like (this is a rising problem particularly for women, people of color and those who were deemed as female at birth), then you can self-refer to a private evaluation. The primary provider of these is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for doing this on their website which includes template forms that you can give to your GP. On their website, they also offer a list of providers. They provide both in-person and online diagnosis.
A private assessment will usually be slightly longer than an ordinary psychiatric visit and include a structured interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life, and how your symptoms are affecting your current functioning. They will also examine your symptoms in different settings and situations. It is a good idea to have a family or friend member provide feedback. The psychiatrist will then go over their findings and provide you with a diagnosis.
They will let you know if they believe you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not think you meet the criteria, they will explain the reason and you can ask them to refer you back.
After you have received a diagnosis, you can then decide if you wish to go down the route of medication or not. You will need to discuss this with your GP or doctor. You may be able to get a shared care agreement for your medication through your GP and this could save you money in the long run.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tool as they can be misleading. It is important that you get a professional, unbiased assessment to ensure you receive the most effective results. Based on your specific circumstances and whether or not you are willing to take medication, there may be other options that can ease your symptoms. If you are an undergraduate student for instance you could request an assessment. They can give you advice on appropriate adjustments and the Disabled Students allowance.